West Ham defender set to miss Aston Villa clash

West Ham face Aston Villa at Upton Park this evening in a game where they’ll be heavily favoured.

Villa currently sit in last place in the Premier League table, six points behind 19th placed Sunderland and a huge ten points from safety, so they’ll be desperate to leave London with at least a point as time runs out on their attempts to perform a ‘great escape’.

West Ham come into the game on the back of a subdued performance away at Anfield in the FA Cup. Their 4th round clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side ended 0-0, with both sides failing to establish clear dominance in the game.

Slaven Bilic is likely to be without defender James Tomkins for tonight’s game after he suffered a head injury at Anfield, but Sam Byram should come in at right-back after being cup-tied at the weekend.

Goalkeeper Adrian will almost certainly return, and Mark Noble is expected to be involved after missing the Liverpool tie due to illness.

Cheikhou Kouyate was taken off with an injury at Anfield but reports suggest that he will be fit to play this evening.

New signing Emmanuel Emenike has not yet received international clearance so he’ll have to wait a little longer to make his debut.